As a continuation of our efforts to protect and promote human rights in the context of the earthquake’s aftermath, we have visited Sisak-Moslavina County several times over the past weeks.
The Ombudswoman, Tena Šimonović Einwalter, together with her associates, met on September 13, 2022, with representatives of the civic initiative Petrinjsko proljeće (Petrinja Spring), and they toured parts of Petrinja destroyed by the earthquake. The meeting was an opportunity to exchange information and identify challenges related to reconstruction and strengthening the protection of the victims’ human rights.
Shortly thereafter, on September 22, advisers of the Ombudswoman visited the Sajmište container settlement in Petrinja, where they gathered information about the problems faced by earthquake victims whose homes have not yet been rebuilt, forcing them to continue living in containers.
As an institution, we also participated in the first Regional Fair of Culture and Development Cooperation in Petrinja, where we received citizens’ complaints and informed them about our work.
At the same event, Deputy Ombudswoman Tatjana Vlašić took part in a public discussion about the prospects for reconstruction and revitalization of Sisak-Moslavina County, an issue on which we have previously raised public awareness, both in public policy-making and through annual reports submitted to the Croatian Parliament.
The fair was jointly organized by the SOLIDARNA Foundation, Serbian National Council, IKS Association, Regional Foundation ZAMAH, and ACT Group, under the patronage of the City of Petrinja and the Petrinja Tourist Board, as well as with financial support from the Office for Human Rights and Rights of National Minorities of the Croatian Government, the European Parliament Office, the 5.5 Fund, and partners.
You can learn more about the impact of the earthquake on human rights in the Ombudswoman’s 2021 Report.
Some of our earthquake-related activities can be found here.